New Priest Arrives as Good Shepherd Episcopal Church Begins 150th Anniversary Celebration

Rev. Craig D. Vance. Courtesy photo.

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wailuku has announced the arrival of their new priest and rector, Rev. Craig D. Vance.

Vance arrives as Good Shepherd Episcopal Church begins its 150th anniversary celebration. Good Shepherd held its first service on Feb. 25, 1866 with the Rev. George B. Whipple as rector.

“I’m honored to have been called to serve the people of God at Good Shepherd during its Sesquicentennial,” said Rev. Vance. “Good Shepherd has a long history in Wailuku and a lot of exciting things have happened and will continue to happen. Good Shepherd is a very special place and everyone has been very welcoming,” he said.

Rev. Vance will officially be installed as Rector in the fall. “There are some protocols that need to be followed prior to Fr. Vance’s installation,” said Senior Warden K. Peter Lee, who led the parish while it underwent an extensive search for a rector to replace Marvin Foltz who departed in 2013. “It’s been a long wait but we believe that Fr. Vance is the right person to lead us into the future.”

Rev. Vance was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and studied in Saskatchewan, Sweden, Germany and British Columbia, Canada. He studied theology at Regent College, Vancouver and received his Master in Divinity from the Vancouver School of Theology in 2003. He has also worked in affordable housing development and community economic development.  He served as Rector for nine years at Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church in Cloverdale, British Columbia.

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wailuku. Courtesy photo.

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church was established by invitation of Hawaiʻi Aliʻi, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, in 1866.

Today, the congregation is made up of more than 450 individuals.

The church has been recognized as a Jubilee Ministry by the National Episcopal Church for its work with the poor and homeless.

Good Shepherd’s community outreach programs include feeding the hungry every Sunday through its Ka ʻOhana Kitchen; the Queen Emma Athletic Club; and its Filipino folk dance troupe. Together with the other Episcopal churches on Maui, Good Shepherd started A Cup of Cold Water, a van ministry which provides food and sundries for the homeless on Maui. Good Shepherd is also known for its music and youth ministries.

The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church is located at the corner of Church and Main Streets in Wailuku.